ROGER THEODORE MERTENS

Roger Theodore Mertens, 73, of Jefferson City, died Sunday, April 2, 2006, at Capital Region Medical Center. He was born on April 3, 1932 in Osage Bend, MO, the son of Emil Henry and Catherine Elizabeth Siebeneck Mertens. He was married on Oct. 4, 1952 in Jefferson City to Catherine Rose Stockman who survives at the home. A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, Mr. Mertens founded Roger Mertens Distributing in 1961; Roger Mertens Boat Sales in 1964; and Cold Cube Ice Company in 1975 which he owned until it was sold in 1984. He was an active member of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph where he served on various church committees including the Mens Association. He was a member of American Legion Post 5; Westside Business Association; Fraternal Order of Eagles; and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a past president of Missouri Petroleum Marketers Association; past officer of United Sportsmens Association; held a private pilots license; and was an active supporter of 4H clubs and the Jefferson City community. Other survivors include two daughters and their husbands, Marilyn K. and Darrell Garmer, St. Louis; and Sharon A. and Mark Alexander, Marshfield, MO; five sons and their wives, Larry D. Mertens and his fiance, Laurie Pleus; Gerald W. and Kerri Mertens; Greg A. and Laura Mertens; John P. and Michelle Mertens; and Glenn J. Mertens, all of Jefferson City; seven grandchildren, Justin Raithel, Jayme Mertens, Mackenzie Mertens, Lexi Mertens, Luke Mertens, Tanner Mertens, and Megan Mertens; one step-grandson, Cheston Alexander; one sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Ray Jenkins, Mission, TX; and one brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Renilda Mertens, Taos, MO. He was preceded in death by two infant sisters, Sharon Mertens and Elizabeth Mertens. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2006, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph with the Rev. Robert A. Kurwicki officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be 3-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 4th, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, 2413 Hyde Park Road, Jefferson City, MO 65109; St. Joseph Cathedral Foundation, 2305 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65109; or American Diabetes Association, POB 1013, Columbia, MO 65205. Those wishing to email condolences or tributes to the family may do so at www.dulletrimble.com.